Compositions of melt-processable polymers having improved processability

ABSTRACT

A melt-processable composition comprising at least one polymer capable of forming an anisotropic melt and at least one other melt-processable polymer characterized in that the temperature range over which the polymer can form an anisotropic melt overlaps the temperature range over which the melt-processable polymer may be melt processed. The melt viscosity of such compositions may be very much less than that of the melt-processable polymer in the absence of the anisotropic melt-forming polymer particularly at high shear rates, corresponding to those encountered during moulding and extrusion operations.

This invention relates to a composition containing a melt-processable polymer and an anisotropic melt-forming polymer and to methods of improving the processability of melt-processable polymers. In some cases polymers which are not otherwise melt processable below their degradation temperatures may be rendered melt processable.

Melt-processable polymers are converted to shaped articles through a stage which involves obtaining the polymer in a molten state, that is in which individual particles of the polymer have been fused together. For easy processing it is necessary to achieve a melt viscosity which is sufficiently low to permit moulds to be filled completely without the use of abnormally high pressures. In the case of some polymers this is achieved at the expense of using such a high melt temperature that polymer degradation becomes a problem. Alternatively, the molecular weight must be restricted below the optimum value for the best mechanical properties.

Compositions have now been devised which enable the extent of this problem to be appreciably reduced, which permit reductions in melt viscosity to be obtained resulting in easier processing and which provide benefits in applications other than in the moulding application.

According to the invention there is provided a melt-processable composition comprising at least one polymer capable of forming an anisotropic melt and at least one other melt-processable polymer characterised in that the temperature range over which the polymer can form an anisotropic melt and the temperature range over which the melt-processable polymer may be melt processed overlap, with the proviso that the melt-processable polymer other than that capable of forming an anisotropic melt may not become melt processable until blended with the anisotropic-melt-forming polymer. It is preferred that the extent of the overlap is at least 5° C. or more so that there is little difficulty in ensuring that the polymers are at a temperature at which the melt-processable polymer is in a molten state and the polymer capable of forming an anisotropic melt has formed an anisotropic melt.

By "a polymer capable of forming an anisotropic melt" is meant either that the polymer forms such a melt when heated to a particular temperature range, characteristic of the polymer (this type is termed a "thermotropic" polymer) or can be induced to form such a melt by the application of shear to the melt. The latter state is characterised by the persistence of the anisotropic condition for a period of a second or two after the melt ceases to be sheared. This distinguishes it from the well-known observation that a polyethylene terephthalate melt will exhibit order when sheared by passing the melt through a tube. Such order disappears immediately once the melt ceases to be sheared. Some polymers may show both thermotropic and shear-induced anisotropy.

A major benefit obtainable from the composition of the invention is that the melt viscosity of the composition is considerably reduced relative to that of the melt-processable polymer alone thereby permitting a lower processing temperature to be used. Compositions according to the invention may be produced which enable very substantial reductions in minimum processing temperatures, for example, 30° C. or more, to be achieved.

United Kingdom patent specification No. 2 008 598 discloses the reinforcement of a flexible polymer with up to 20% by weight of a rigid polymer dispersed as particles having a diameter of 1 micron or less. Although the definition of the rigid polymer by way of the Mark-Houwink index would include some polymers capable of forming an anisotropic melt there is no disclosure of such a melt, nor of a composition in which both flexible polymer and rigid polymer are present simultaneously in melt form. Furthermore, there is no recognition that the rigid polymer can improve the processability of the flexible polymer.

In the present invention it is essential that the composition be in molten form at some stage during processing or fabrication in order to obtain the advantages of the invention.

Accordingly there is provided a molten polymer composition characterised in that there coexist in the melt at least two polymers in melt form at least one of which is present as an anisotropic melt. The invention also includes shaped articles formed from such a melt.

The major advantages of the invention are that during processing the composition not only exhibits a reduced viscosity in comparison with the same composition not containing the anisotropic-melt-forming polymer but this in turn permits much greater freedom in processing conditions. Thus, the further advantages that may be obtained include the fact that the processing temperature may be reduced, larger mouldings may be filled, mouldings having an intricate shape may be moulded with greater precision and fillers may be included at higher concentrations for a given melt viscosity than with previously known compositions. Further advantages arise from the manner in which the anisotropic-melt-forming polymer affects the viscosity of the melts of the compositions when subjected to various shear rates. At high shear rates, as encountered in moulding and other forming processes (about 100 to 1000 sec⁻¹), the compositions of the invention have a favourably low viscosity. On the other hand, it is advantageous to have a high viscosity at low shear rates (about 10 sec⁻¹) so that form stability can be maintained, for example, as the hot product emerges from a die. The compositions of the invention show this favourable pattern of behaviour. An advantage of the low viscosity at the high shear encountered in the moulding process is that the finished shaped articles are subjected to reduced stress during fabrication so that the risk of subsequent warpage during use is reduced. Apart from advantages arising from the reduced viscosity, benefits may be obtained through the presence of the anisotropic-melt-forming polymer per se. Thus, properties such as stiffness may be enhanced.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a melt-processable composition comprising a melt-processable polymer and a sufficient quantity of a polymer capable of forming an anisotropic melt at a temperature within the processing temperature range of the melt-processable polymer to reduce the melt viscosity of the composition in comparison with the melt viscosity in the absence of the anisotropic-melt-forming polymer, by at least 10% measured at a shear rate of 1000 sec⁻¹ at a given processing temperature in the processing temperature range of the melt-processable polymer. The processing temperature range of a given melt-processable polymer is the range between the minimum temperature at which individual particles of the polymer are fused together when subjected to heat or to a combination of heat and work on the polymer and the maximum temperature at which the polymer can be processed before degradation of the polymer has an unacceptable effect on the properties of the polymer. It should be noted that in addition to reducing the minimum processing temperature of a normally processable polymer the invention includes the use of an anisotropic-melt-forming polymer to render processable a polymer which is not readily melt processable in the absence of the anisotropic-melt-forming polymer. For example, a polymer which is of such high molecular weight that it is not melt processable below its decomposition temperature may be rendered processable.

The invention also includes a method of producing a composition having a reduced melt viscosity comprising forming a melt of a melt-processable polymer containing a polymer which forms an anisotropic melt under the conditions used to melt the melt-processable polymer. Preferably sufficient of the anisotropic-melt-forming polymer is present to reduce the melt viscosity of the composition by at least 10%, (when measured at a shear rate in the range of 100 to 1000 sec⁻¹ at a temperature at which the composition is molten) in comparison with the composition not containing the anisotropic-melt-forming material.

The method of forming a melt in which the anisotropic behaviour of the anisotropic-melt-forming polymer may be observed is not limited simply to heating the composition to within an appropriate temperature range but includes the method of subjecting the composition to shear. The application of shear forces to the composition may induce anisotropic-melt behaviour in a situation where temperature alone does not induce anisotropy in the melt. In addition, the application of shear to systems which will form an anisotropic melt simply by raising the composition to an appropriate temperature range has the additional advantage that the temperature range over which an anisotropic melt is achieved can be extended.

The ability to provide compositions having a reduced processing temperature reduces energy consumption during processing but even more importantly greatly reduces the risk of thermal degradation. This is particularly important for polymers which are on the borderline of thermal stability at their normal processing temperatures.

The ability to reduce the processing temperature means that the minimum moulding temperature, that is the minimum temperature at which the mould may be completely filled without the pressure being so high that the mould opens, may be reduced. This can result in shorter cycle times, lower total energy costs (particularly important for high temperature processes) and a reduced risk of environmental hazard from gaseous products evolved during the moulding process.

The concentration of anisotropic melt-forming polymer used in compositions and methods of the invention is preferably between 0.5 and 50% by weight of the composition. Reductions in processing temperatures of 30° C. have been observed using as little as 3% of additive so that even 0.5% will show a significant reduction. The preferred upper limit for the additive is 50% although even higher concentrations may show an advantageous combination of properties. For most applications it is envisaged that concentrations between 1 and 20% will provide most of the advantages resulting from the reduction in melt viscosity.

Whilst the melt-processable polymer of the composition may itself be a liquid-crystal-forming polymer the invention is primarily directed to compositions of improved processability based on more conventional melt-processable polymers such as polyolefines, acrylic polymers, vinyl chloride and vinylidene-chloride-based polymers, polystyrene, polyphenylene oxide and polyphenylene oxide/polystyrene blends, fibre-forming aliphatic and aromatic polyamides, fibre-forming polyesters, polysulphones and polyethersulphones, polyketones and polyetherketones, polyfluoroolefines, polyoxymethylenes, thermoplastic cellulosic polymers, and other biologically produced polymers, such as poly(hydroxybutyrate). In addition to these thermoplastic materials the invention includes compositions of the thermosetting type providing they are melt processable. These include injection-mouldable polyurethanes and silicone, rubbers, phenolic and amino moulding powders.

Although it is generally observed that some improvement results from blending anisotropic-melt-forming polymers with melt-processable polymers the optimum combination of materials will depend on the properties required of the blend. Thus, when the melt-processable polymer is a high performance polymer suitable for use in engineering applications it will be important to retain a high level of mechanical strength in the composition. In these circumstances excessive incompatibility between the components should be avoided because this will lead to mechanical weakness of the composition. As a general rule it is preferred that the compatibility as judged by the difference in solubility parameter (as calculated according to the method of Small, Journal of Applied Chemistry 1973 (3), page 72) should not exceed 2 units and, desirably, should not exceed 1 unit.

Preferred anisotropic-melt-forming polymers are substantially linear polymers within which are incorporated sequences of rigid units or linear vinyl polymers having pendant groups which are sufficiently stiff to give an anisotropic melt.

Typical are anisotropic-melt-forming polyesters described, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,778,410, 4,067,852, 4,083,829, 4,130,545 and 4,161,470. Polyazomethines which are capable of forming an anisotropic melt are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,048,148. Polyesteramides which are capable of forming anisotropic melts are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,625. Polyisocyanates capable of forming anisotropic melts are known.

Polyesters having pendant mesogenic vinyl groups are also known.

Other suitable materials include polycaprolactams or polycaprolactones which contain mesogenic groups. These materials may also include other substituents which reduce the softening point of the polymer. Hydroxypropyl cellulose, available as `Klucel` from Hercules Inc may also be used.

A method for determining whether a polymer gives an anisotropic melt is as follows.

Optical Anisotropy-TOT (Thermo-optical test)

It is well known that translucent optically anisotropic materials cause polarized light to be transmitted in optical systems equipped with crossed polarizers, whereas transmission of light should theoretically be zero for isotropic materials under the same conditions. The following thermo-optical test (TOT) uses this feature to identify anisotropic polyester melts according to the present invention with an apparatus that is essentially similar to that described by I. Kirshenbaum, R. B. Issacson, and W. C. Feist, Polymer Letters, 2 897-901 (1964), but uses apparatus units that are available to us.

The thermo-optical test (TOT) requires a polarizing microscope which should have strain-free optics and sufficiently high extinction with crossed (90°) polarizers to be capable of giving a background transmission specified below. A Leitz Dialux-Pol microscope was used for the determination reported herein. It was equipped with Polaroid polarizers, binocular eyepieces, and a heating stage. A photodetector was attached at the top of the microscope barrel. The microscope had a 33X, long working distance objective, and a Red I plate (used only when making visual observations with crossed polarizers; inserted at an angle of 45° to each polarizer). Light from a light source is directed through the polarizer, through the sample on the heating stage and through the analyzer to either the photodetector or the eyepieces. A slide permits transferring the image from eyepieces to photo-detector. The heating stage used is one capable of being heated to 500° C. A "Unitron" model MHS vacuum heating state (Unitron Instrument Co., 66 Needham St., Newton Highlands, Massachusetts 02161) was used. The photodetector signal is amplified and fed to the Y-axis of an X-Y recorder. The system response to light intensity should be linear and the error of measurement within ±1 mm on the chart paper. The heating stage is provided with two attached thermocouples. One is connected to the X-axis of the X-Y recorder to record stage temperature, the other to a programmed temperature controller. The microscope is focused visually (with crossed polarizers) on a polymer sample prepared and mounted as described below. The sample, but not the cover slip, is removed from the optical path. The Polaroid analyzer of the microscope is removed from the optical path, the slide is shifted to transfer the image to the photodetector and the system is adjusted so that full-scale deflection (18 cm on the chart paper used) on the Y-axis and the X-Y recorder corresponds to 36% of the photometer signal. The background transmission value is recorded with crossed (90°) polarizers and with the cover slip, but not the sample, in the optical path. The background transmission in the system used should be independent of temperature and should be less than about 0.5 cm on the chart paper.

The sample is preferably a 5μ section microtomed with a diamond knife from a solid well-coalesced chip of pure polymer (e.g., as prepared in the Examples), mounted in epoxy resin. A less preferred method, but one especially useful for low molecular weight materials that shatter when microtomed, is to heat on a hot plate a sample of finely divided polymer on a cover slip resting on a microscope slide. The hot plate temperature (initially about 10° C. above the polymer flow temperature) is increased until the polymer just coalesces to a thin film essentially equivalent in thickness to the microtomed sections, i.e., about 5μ.

The sample section is pressed flat between cover slips. One cover slip is removed and the sample on the remaining cover slip is placed (glass down) on the heating stage. The background transmission is measured, and the sample is positioned so that essentially all the light intercepted by the photodetector will pass through the sample. When the sample between crossed (90°) polarizes and under nitrogen, the light intensity and temperature are recorded on the X-Y recorder as the temperature is raised at a programmed rate of about 14° C./min from 25° to 450° C. The sample temperature is obtained from the recorded temperature by use of a suitable calibration curve.

The polymers of the present invention are considered to form anisotropic melts if, as a sample is heated between crossed (90°) polarizes to temperatures above its flow temperature, the intensity of the light transmitted recorder chart whose height is at least twice the height of the background transmission trace and is at least 0.5 cm greater than the background transmission trace. As these melts form, the value (height) of the light transmission trace is at least 0.5 cm greater than that of the background transmission, and is at least twice that of the background, or increases thereto.

The compositions of the invention may include a variety of materials conventionally present in moulding compositions. These include fillers of the reinforcing or non-reinforcing type, in both fibrous or particulate form, pigments and other colourants, light and heat stabilisers, nucleants, mould release agents, plasticisers, fireretardant additives, foaming agent and various other specific additives such as polymeric toughening agents.

In filled compositions which contain fibrous materials care should be taken to ensure that the melt viscosity of composition is not reduced to such a low level that it is difficult to maintain uniformity of distribution of the fibres in the melt. If the viscosity is too low problems may arise in either compounding or fabricating the composition because the fibres will not be conveyed along with the melt when the melt is caused to flow particularly through relatively narrow orifices.

The compositions may be prepared by the conventional techniques, such as by compounding in a screw extruder or in appropriate cases by including the materials during the polymerisation cycle or by blending in appropriate solvents. In the compositions of the invention produced by melt blending, the anisotropic-melt-forming polymer is typically dispersed in regions having a diameter of 5 to 10 microns. A finer dispersion may be obtained by solution blending.

In addition to the moulding applications described the invention is also suitable for use in areas such as melt adhesive applications, polymer melt coating technology, sheet welding and in forming structural composites, such as fibre mat laminates where the lower viscosity of the composition when used as an impregnation medium is advantageous.

The invention is further illustrated by reference to the following examples.

These examples show the improvement in processability obtained from blends according to the invention. In addition they show that for a given chemical family anisotropic-melt-forming polymers are more effective than isotropic-melt-forming polymers, particularly at the higher shear rates involved in, for example, injection moulding processing. This pattern of behaviour is still true for a variety of different methods of dispersing the anisotropic-melt-forming polymers in a given isotropic-melt-forming material and confirms this effectiveness of the anisotropic polymers compared with isotropic analogues. Furthermore, this difference is observed when the melt viscosity of the isotropic polymer is the same or even less than the anisotropic analogue.

EXAMPLE 1

This example illustrates the melt blending of a single liquid crystal species with a wide range of common thermoplastics.

3 Kilogrammes of copoly(chloro-1,4-phenylene ethylene dioxy-4,4'-dibenzoate) terephthalate; 50/50 mole basis were prepared according to the method of Example 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,013. A sample of polymer was extracted from the reaction mixture by cold extraction with trifluoroacetic acid:dichloromethane mixture (30:70 v/v) and the 83% of soluble polymer isolated by careful evaporation of the solvent under vacuum. The inherent viscosity of the soluble fraction measured at 25° C. on a 0.5% solution in the same solvent was 0.23 dl/g. The polymer itself melted at 220° C. to give an anisotropic melt which state persisted to temperatures of at least 320° C. This melt behaviour was observed using a Leitz hot stage fitted to a Leitz "SM POL" model polarising microscope. Melt viscosities of the polymer and blends of polymer as shown in Table 3 were measured using a capillary rheometer fitted with a 1 cm diameter piston and an exit die 1 mm in diameter and 16 mm in length. The melt viscosity (Ns/m²).sup.(1) results for a range of typical conditions for the anisotropic melt forming polymer were as follows:

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                                      Shear Stress.sup.(2) (N/m.sup.2)                                  Melt temperature (°C.)                                                                3 × 10.sup.3                                                                       10.sup.4                                                                             10.sup.5                                                                               3 × 10.sup.5                       ______________________________________                                         220           --        --    2 × 10.sup.3                                                                     --                                       230           --        --    4 × 10.sup.2                                                                     --                                       240           --        85    --      40                                       250           28        16    13      --                                       260           6          6    --      --                                       270           4          4    --      --                                       ______________________________________                                          .sup.(1) Viscosity calculated assuming shear stress divided by shear           rate.sup.(3).                                                                  ##STR1##                                                                      - -                                                                             ##STR2##                                                                 

Melt blends of the liquid crystal polymer and a range of base polymers in the weight ratio 10:90 were prepared by compounding tumble blended mixtures of the appropriate polymers in powdered form on a 19 mm single screw "Bone" extruder fitted with a 20 L/D screw, lace die, quench bath and lace cutter. The base polymers alone were also compounded under the same conditions. The compositions prepared are listed in Table 2 below:

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                                                        Drive                                                Base        Melt    Screw motor                                                polymer     temp.   speed current                                         Code type        (°C.)                                                                           (rpm) (Amps)*                                                                               Notes                                    ______________________________________                                         A    Polypropylene                                                                              230     52    1.2(1.3)                                                                              `Propathene`                                                                   grade                                                                          GPE102                                   B    LD          200     40    1.3(1.2)                                                                              `Alkathene`                                   polyethylene                     grade                                                                          XHF77/52                                 C    Polycarbonate                                                                              260     40    1.5(1.2)                                                                              `Makrolon`                                                                     grade 6030                               D    Polymethyl- 250     40    1.21(1.2)                                                                             `Diakon`                                      methacrylate                     grade                                                                          MH254                                    E    Nylon 66    280           1.25(1.2)                                                                             `Maranyl`                                                                      A150                                     F    Polyethylene                                                                               270     40    1.2(1.2)                                                                              [η] = 0.67                                terephthalate                                                             G    Polyphenylene                                                                              260     40    1.45(1.2)                                                                             `Noryl`                                       oxide-poly-                      730-731                                       styrene blend                                                             H    Polyvinyl   200     40    1.25(1.25)                                                                            `Welvic`                                      chloride                         R7/622                                   ______________________________________                                          *FIGS. thus (1.3) refer to the drive motor current consumed when               compounding base polymer without liquid crystal additive.                

Because the processing temperature of the PVC (H) (150° to 180° C.) did not overlap with the range in which this particular liquid crystal sample gives a stable anisotropic melt (220° to >320° C.) extrudates were rather decomposed and no useful product was obtained. The remainder of the blends gave good, coherent, uniformly mixed compositions. The melt viscosity of these and the parent materials were characterised as before and the results are given in Table 3 (melt viscosities Ns/m² at shear rates shown).

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                                                  Base polymer (90%) +                                                           liquid crystal                                                 Base polymer (100%)                                                                            polymer (10%)                                         Melt     Shear rates     Shear rates                                                temp.   10      100   1000  10    100   1000                              Code (°C.)                                                                           sec.sup.-1                                                                             sec.sup.-1                                                                           sec.sup.-1                                                                           sec.sup.-1                                                                           sec.sup.-1                                                                           sec.sup.-1                        ______________________________________                                         A    240     3850    950   185   1850  570   150                               B    240     1220    490   150   1020  350   102                               C    280      830    700   370    530  490   168                               D    240     4400    1450  360   2800  960   270                               E    280     --      940   325   --    190    76                               F    280     --      210   150   --     21    21                               G    280     2000    920   250   1600  500   106                               ______________________________________                                    

These results indicate significant reductions in melt viscosity compared to the base polymer and in several cases the energy required to compound the blend is also significantly reduced.

Samples of the blends were successfully moulded on a small hand-operated plunger injection moulding machine (`Manumold`). In the case of codes A, D, C, E and F material could be injected into the mould (3 mm×75 mm×50 mm) at the above melt temperatures with noticeably lower force than required for the base resins alone. All the mouldings had an acceptable surface finish and retained useful mechanical strength.

EXAMPLE 2

This example illustrates improvements in the flow behaviour of a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) moulding powder by incorporation of a liquid crystal polyester (X7G) based on modified polyethylene terephthalate polymer.

An 80:20 melt blend of a poly(butylene terephthalate) moulding powder with an intrinsic viscosity of 0.9 g/dl (measured at 25° C. in a 98:2 o-chlorophenol:alpha-pinene mixture) with X7G* (a liquid crystal polymer based on a modified polyethylene terephthalate obtained from Eastman Kodak) was prepared at 240° C. on a single screw 38 mm Plastron extruder fitted with 30 L/D screw.

Melt flow indices were measured at 240° C. on the apparatus used in Example 1 and gave the following relative values (expressed as mass/unit time):

    ______________________________________                                                             MFI                                                        ______________________________________                                         PBT base resin        100                                                      Liquid crystal polymer `X7G`                                                                         340                                                      Blend - 80% PBT + 20% `X7G`                                                                          228                                                      ______________________________________                                    

Test pieces were injection moulded at 240° C. from the base resin and blend and gave yield or breaking values as follows:

100% PBT 60 MN/m² (necked and draw) Blend--80% PBT+20% `X7G` 50 MN/m² (broke before yield)

EXAMPLE 3

This example describes the melt and solution blending of a single liquid crystal polyester composition with polyethersulphone over the complete concentration range. In both series similar and useful reductions in melt viscosity were obtained. In the case of 3 and 15% of liquid crystal polymer additive mechanical blends improved mouldability is demonstrated together with retention of useful mechanical strength.

Liquid crystal polyester-copoly(chloro-1,4-phenylene-4,4'-oxydibenzoate/terephthalate) 80/20 was prepared according to Example 4 in U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,014. The product, a tough, fibrous, tan coloured solid, had an inherent viscosity of 0.94 dl/g measured in a 0.5% solution in 70:30 v/v chloromethane:trifluoroacetic acid at 25° C. On the hot stage microscope the material melted at 285° C. to give a characteristic opaque anisotropic melt which state persisted up to at least 350° C. without significant decomposition. After disintegration into fine powder half the material was powder blended in different proportions with polyethersulphone (PES) polymer powder (ICI `Victrex` grade 300P). The same series of blend compositions was also prepared by dissolving PES and the liquid crystal polymer in diphenyl sulphone solvent (at 50% w/w concentration) melted at 285° to 290° C., followed by cooling, disintegration and Soxhlet extraction with acetone for 18 hours. In one solution blending experiment in which PES was omitted the liquid crystal was recovered and shown to have an inherent solution viscosity of 0.78 g/dl.

The melt viscosity of each blend and the individual polymers of the blend was measured and is recorded in Table 4.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Blending Melt viscosity (Ns/m.sup.2) at shear                                  ratio    rates shown at 350° C.                                         (parts by                                                                               Powder blends   Solution blends                                       weight   10      100     1000  10    100   1000                                PES  LCP*    sec.sup.-1                                                                             sec.sup.-1                                                                           sec.sup.-1                                                                           sec.sup.-1                                                                           sec.sup.-1                                                                           sec.sup.-1                        ______________________________________                                         100  --      1650    1140  475   --    1080  490                               90   10      1280    610   175   --    710   305                               80   20       900    340   112   --    420   126                               70   30      --      330   108   --    205   98                                60   40      --      215   72    --    126   53                                50   50      --      150   47    --    --    36                                40   60      --      130   47    --     31   21                                30   70      --      115   37    --    --    18                                20   80      --      100   33    --    --    7.4                               10   90      --       88   29    --    --    11.8                              --   100     --       45   18    --     37   18                                ______________________________________                                          *LCP = Liquid crystal forming polymer.                                   

Further batches of blend containing 3% and 15% LCP polymer were melt blended on the "Bone" (19 mm) extruder and injection moulded on an Ankerwerke (V20/140 (170 g capacity) screw injection moulding machine to give 3 mm thick tensile impact bars. Whereas good quality full mouldings could not be produced from PES alone with melt temperatures much below 360° C., usefully strong, temperature resistant, opaque mouldings could be produced from the blends using melt temperatures as low as 285° C. The results of these experiments (designated Series I) are detailed in Table 5.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                                                                 Vicat                                                                   Tensile                                                                               softening                              Blending                                                                               Melt     Tensile         impact point                                  ratio   temp.    strength Fracture                                                                              strength                                                                              (1 kg at                               PES  LCP    (°C.)                                                                            (MN/m.sup.2)                                                                          type   (NJ/m.sup.2)                                                                          °C.)                          ______________________________________                                         100  --     360      79.3   Ductile                                                                               227    226                                  97    3     360      78.5   Brittle                                                                               69     222                                              335      82.4   Ductile                                                                               187    222                                              315      79.1   Ductile                                                                               154    222                                              285      81.6   Ductile                                                                               191    222                                  85   15     360      68.1   Brittle                                                                               44     222                                              345      72.0   Brittle                                                                               49     222                                              325      67.2   Brittle                                                                               28     222                                              310      69.7   Brittle                                                                               29     222                                              295      48.1   Brittle                                                                               35     222                                  ______________________________________                                    

In further experiments (designated Series II) 3% blends were also successfully moulded on a "Stubbe" injection moulding machine fitted with edge gated 115 mm×3 mm discs. As before it proved possible to mould the blend at considerably lower temperatures than the unmodified PES, the mouldings had good surface finish and retained a useful level of mechanical strength. Detailed results are shown in Table 6.

                                      TABLE 6                                      __________________________________________________________________________                     Notched                                                                              Falling                                                                  impact                                                                               weight                                                                               Flexural                                           Blending                                                                             Melt                                                                               Injection                                                                            strength                                                                             impact                                                                               modulus*                                           ratio temp.                                                                              pressure                                                                             (kJ/m.sup.2)                                                                         strength                                                                             (GN/m.sup.2)                                       PES                                                                               LCP                                                                               (°C.)                                                                       PSC   A  C  (J)   A  B  C                                            __________________________________________________________________________     100                                                                               -- 360  800  49.7                                                                              49.5                                                                              83.5  3.02                                                                              2.94                                                                              3.11                                                               Ductile                                                  97 3  345  800  40.3                                                                              41.5                                                                              24.9  2.73                                                                              3.15                                                                              3.07                                                               Brittle                                                  97 3  325 1000  35.5                                                                              34.0                                                                              5.4   3.07                                                                              3.13                                                                              3.13                                                               Brittle                                                  97 3  325 1100  38.6                                                                              44.5                                                                              55.8  3.03                                                                              3.02                                                                              3.23                                                               Ductile                                                  97 3  320 1000  55.4                                                                              39.2                                                                              --    -- -- --                                           97 3  315 1000  54.8                                                                              33.2                                                                              --    -- -- --                                           __________________________________________________________________________      *Values given are measurement in following directions:                         A = across flow,                                                               B = 45° C. to flow, and                                                 C =  along flow.                                                         

Melt viscosities of these blends were measured at 320° C. and various shear rates and the results are recorded in Table 7.

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                                            Melt viscosity (Ns/m.sup.2) at 320° C.               Moulding                                                                               Blending   at specified shear rates                                    experiment                                                                             ratio      10        100     1000                                      series  PES     LCP    sec.sup.-1                                                                             sec.sup.-1                                                                             sec.sup.-1                              ______________________________________                                         Series I                                                                               100     --     10000   4900    2300                                            97      3      8300    3500    1200                                            85      15     4500    1140     280                                    Series II                                                                              100     --     7600    3900    1180                                            97      3      6900    3150     920                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 4

In this example preparation of highly glass-filled polyethersulphone compositions is described. In every case useful reductions in melt viscosity are obtained. In one case the effect of varying the base polymer to liquid crystal polymer ratio was studied.

A range of blends of polyethersulphone `Victrex` grade 400P, chopped glass fibre and the liquid crystal forming polyester described in Example 1 were compounded together in a modified capillary rheometer, in the lower part of whose piston chamber was fitted a loose fitting cylindrical rotating bob. The surface of the bob had raised protuberances on its surface and it could be rotated at 200 rpm. The barrel of the viscometer was maintained at 300° C. and product was discharged via a 2 mm diameter die located near the lower edge on the cylinder, just below the bob. Lace from this unit was collected and its melt viscosity characterised as below. The results are tabulated in Table 8 for a sequence of runs carried out as follows:

In Run A initially an unmodified PES was processed. Addition of 10% LCP (Run B) gave a 50% drop in viscosity at the higher shear rates.

Addition of glass alone to PES (Run C) gave a 50% increase in viscosity but this could be largely off-set by addition of 10% LCP on polymer (Runs D and E). Increased glass levels (Runs F and G) in the presence of liquid crystal showed a steady increase in melt viscosity but these were still below that of the 30% glass-filled composition, without liquid crystal (C), until at least 50 to 60% of glass had been added. Above 70% glass content, a content which could not be reached in the absence of liquid crystal polymer, the resin tended to flow away from the glass causing the rheometer to block.

In a final series of experiments (Runs H and I) increasing the proportion of liquid crystal to base resin brought about a further reduction in melt viscosity. At very high levels the lubrication effect was so great that the resin ceased to be able to convey the glass fibre in a homogeneous way and again the die became blocked.

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                                            Melt viscosity at                                           Composition        320° C. (Ns/m.sup.2 × 10.sup.-3)               of blend by        at stated shear rate                                        Run     weight         10       100   1000                                     number  PES    Glass    LCP  sec.sup.-1                                                                            sec.sup.-1                                                                           sec.sup.-1                           ______________________________________                                         A       100    --       --   4.3    3.1   1.0                                  B       90     --       10   3.1    1.5   0.45                                 C       70     30       --   7.5    4.0   1.4                                  D       63     30        7   6.0    1.9   0.5                                  E       63     30        7   7.5    2.5   0.80                                 F       45     50        5   11     3.8   1.0                                  G       27     70        3   25     10    --                                   H       30     50       20   5.5    1.7   0.7                                  I       20     50       30   would not extrude                                                              homogeneously                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 5

In this example the melt compounding of a single liquid crystal composition with Nylon 66 and polycarbonate is described. In both cases 10% addition of liquid crystal produced a useful reduction in melt viscosity, and allowed injection mouldings of satisfactory strength to be fabricated.

A liquid crystal polyester as described in Example 1 was finely disintegrated and tumble blended with 9 times its weight of powdered dry Nylon 66 moulding powder and extrusion compounded on a Plastron single screw (38 mm diameter, L/D=24.5:1) extruder at a barrel temperature of 275° to 300° C. Coherent laces were easily obtained through a 3 mm diameter lace die. These were quenched in cold water and cut into 3 mm long pellets. In another variant a blend of 10% of the same liquid crystal polymer was mixed with `Makrolon` 3200 grade polycarbonate moulding powder at a temperature of 270° to 275° C.

Both blends were injection moulded at 280° C. on a V17 Ankerwerke single screw injection moulding machine fitted with a 115 mm×3 mm disc (edge gated) moulding maintained at 80° C. Unmodified nylon and polycarbonate were also moulded for comparison. Mechanical properties were determined and are tabulated below.

                  TABLE 9                                                          ______________________________________                                                       Flexural modulus                                                 Blending      (GN/m.sup.2)   Impact Strength                                   ratio         A       B     C      (kJ/m.sup.2)                                ______________________________________                                         Nylon     LCP                                                                  100       --      (0.73)* --  (0.72) 2.1 (42)                                   90       10      (0.84)  --  (0.80) 0.7 (41)                                  Polycarbonate                                                                            LCP                                                                  100       --      (2.49)  --  (2.55) 48 (25)                                    90       10      (2.8)   --  (2.4)  11 (1)                                    ______________________________________                                          *Figures in parentheses refer to mouldings which have been immersed in         water at 25° C. for 170 hours, dried with a cloth and tested            immediately.                                                             

It was noticeable that when the moulding pressure was set up to just fill the moulding with the base polymers, changing over to the liquid crystal blend caused the mould to overfill and flash. That this was associated with an effective drop in melt viscosity rather than degradation and reduction in molecular weight of the polyamide or polycarbonate was demonstrated by extracting the base resin from its blend with suitable solvents. After careful isolation solution viscosities were compared with those of the initial base polymers (using 0.5 g polymer in 100 ml solvent at 25° C.). The results obtained are shown in Table 10.

                  TABLE 10                                                         ______________________________________                                                                 Solvent for                                            Blending     Extracted  determination                                          ratio        with       of viscosity                                                                              η.sub.rel found                         ______________________________________                                         Nylon     LCP                                                                  100       --     Formic     Formic acid                                                                             1.455                                                      acid                                                           90       10     Formic     Formic acid                                                                             1.529                                                      acid                                                          Polycarbonate                                                                            LCP                                                                  100       --     Chloroform Chloroform                                                                              1.3116                                     90       10     Chloroform Chloroform                                                                              1.3089                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 6

In this example the liquid crystal polyester described in Example 1 was powder blended with a polyetheretherketone polymer (PEEK) of structure shown below in the weight ratio 15:85 respectively: ##STR3## The powder blend was then fed to the modified capillary rheometer described in Example 4. The barrel and rotating bob of the apparatus were heated to 350° C. and the heat generated during shearing used to melt and blend the components. The pressure of the piston ram was adjusted to give an average residence time within the chamber of no more than 1 minute. The PEEK polymer without added liquid crystal forming polyester shear heated to about 490° C. In contrast the blend with liquid crystal shear heated to only 430° C. implying a significant reduction in melt viscosity had been achieved. Laces produced from the operation were collected, disintegrated and their melt viscosity characterised in the normal way at 380° C. The results in Table 11 below confirm the evidence of the shear heating experiment.

                  TABLE 11                                                         ______________________________________                                                          Melt viscosity (Ns/m.sup.2)                                                    at 380° C. and shear                                   Blending         rates shown                                                   ratio            100       1000                                                PEEK*     LCP        sec.sup.-1                                                                               sec.sup.-1                                      ______________________________________                                         100       --         380       210                                              85       15         180        95                                             ______________________________________                                          *Inherent viscosity at 25° C. of 0.8 dl/g measured on a 0.1%            solution in sulphuric acid (100%).                                       

EXAMPLE 7

In this example a range of different liquid crystal polyester compositions are mechanically blended at the 10% level with a range of conventional isotropic polymers. All show usefully reduced melt viscosities.

A range of liquid crystal polyesters were made by melt condensation reactions between appropriate aromatic and/or aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and the diacetates of dihydric phenols according to known procedures for forming polyesters. In other variants acetoxy parahydroxy benzoic acid was polycondensed with ε-caprolactam and with preformed polyethylene terephthalate polymer according to Example 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,778,410. The temperature at which each gave an anisotropic melt was determined on the hot stage microscope and the results are tabulated below (Table 12) together with the structural formulae of the original recipe ingredients and their molar ratios.

                                      TABLE 12                                     __________________________________________________________________________                                              Polymer                                                                        anisotropic                           Polymer                                  melt temp.                            Code Recipe ingredients charged to reactor                                                                              (°C.)                          __________________________________________________________________________           ##STR4##                           205                                         ##STR5##                                                                 B                                                                                    ##STR6##                           175                                        preformed PET polymer                                                     C                                                                                    ##STR7##                           275                                         ##STR8##                                                                 D                                                                                    ##STR9##                           250                                         ##STR10##                                                                E                                                                                    ##STR11##                          250                                          #STR12##                                                                F                                                                                    ##STR13##                           90                                   G                                                                                    ##STR14##                          260                                         ##STR15##                                                                H                                                                                    ##STR16##                          220                                         ##STR17##                                                                I                                                                                    ##STR18##                          230                                        preformed PET polymer                                                           ##STR19##                                                                __________________________________________________________________________

10% liquid crystal polymer melt blends with either Nylon 66 (`Maranyl` A150 grade ex ICI), polycarbonate (`Makrolon` 3200 grade ex Bayer) or polyphenylene oxide-polystyrene blend (`Noryl` grade ex General Electric) were then prepared in an oil heated Brabender Plastograph (25 g total charge; 8 minutes total compounding time; mixer body temperatures of 281°, 238° and 238° C. respectively for nylon, polycarbonate, polyphenylene oxide-polystyrene blend. Compared with the unmodified base resins the blends compounded more easily, judged by the torque reading on the mixer, and behaved as if they were highly lubricated in that they could be discharged easily without sticking to the metal surfaces of the mixer chamber or the mixing rotor. After cooling the compounded blends were disintegrated, dried and their melt viscosity determined on the capillary rheometer. The results obtained are shown in Table 13 and include data on a melt blend of Nylon 66 (90%) and poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) (10%) for comparison.

                  TABLE 13                                                         ______________________________________                                                           Melt viscosity at 285° C.                                               (Ns/m.sup.2) at indicated                                    Blending ratio    shear rates                                                  (parts by         10      100        1000                                      weight)           sec.sup.-1                                                                             sec.sup.-1 sec.sup.-1                                ______________________________________                                         Nylon 66, 100     678     410        --                                        Nylon 66, 90 - A, 10                                                                             720     380        --                                        Nylon 66, 90 - B, 10                                                                             116     44         33                                        Nylon 66, 90 - C, 10                                                                             --      26         --                                        Nylon 66, 90 - D, 10                                                                             --      24         13                                        Nylon 66, 90 - E, 10                                                                             --      18         --                                        Nylon 66, 90 - F, 10                                                                             --      15           6.5                                     Nylon 66, 90 - G, 10                                                                             --      12.3       --                                        Nylon 66, 90 - H, 10                                                                             155     67         47                                        Nylon 66, 90 - EVA, 10*                                                                          265     130        66                                        Polycarbonate, 100                                                                               1440    1200       --                                        Polycarbonate, 90 - C, 10                                                                        1850    1300       --                                        Polycarbonate, 90 - I, 10                                                                        1280    870        --                                        Polycarbonate, 90 - A, 10                                                                        860     610        --                                        Polycarbonate, 90 - B, 10                                                                        620     360        --                                        Polyphenylene oxide-                                                           polystyrene blends (PPO)                                                       PPO, 100          3030    1250       --                                        PPO, 90 - B, 10   2550    1150       --                                        ______________________________________                                          *`Alkathene` grade 539 (ethylenevinyl acetate copolymer) ex ICI          

EXAMPLE 8

In this example a number of liquid crystal polyesters with anisotropic melting points within the normal processing range of rigid PVC were prepared. These were melt blended at the 10% levels in a Brabender Plastograph into a standard unplasticised rigid PVC formulation. Compared with the control the blends showed any or all of lower initial peak torque values and lower torque values after 5 minutes processing. The crepes produced were also of generally smoother surface finish and/or better colour than the controls indicating less degradation during processing.

A range of liquid crystal polyesters showing anisotropic behaviour within in the range 140° to 200° C. were prepared according to the general approach cited in Example 7. These were powder blended at the 1 and/or 10% levels with a standard rigid PVC formulation containing PVC (37 g `Corvic` S62/109 grade ex ICI) and tribasic lead stearate powder (0.37 g) as stabiliser. Each blend mixture was charged to a standard Brabender Plastagraph (W30 Type Chamber) fitted with lobed rotors. The chamber was heated with circulating oil at 170° C. The peak torque reached initially was recorded together with the steady value attained after 5 minutes mixing. After discharge the compounded crepes were graded for discolouration and surface smoothness relative to the control.

Compositions of the liquid crystal polymers and their anisotropic melting range are given in Table 14. Properties of their blends with PVC are given in Table 15. Blends based on non-anisotropic melt forming additives (i.e. Polymer M, stearic acid, `Diakon` APA-1 polymethyl methacrylate copolymer and di-n-butyl stearate) were also included for comparison.

                                      TABLE 14                                     __________________________________________________________________________                                      Temperature (°C.)                                                       where melts                                   Polymer                          formed are:                                   Code Recipe ingredients charged to reactor                                                                      Anisotropic                                                                          Isotropic                               __________________________________________________________________________           ##STR20##                  175   >300                                         preformed polymer                                                         F                                                                                    ##STR21##                  195   ≧330                             M    Polycaprolactone ex Union Carbide grade 0240                                                               --     >60                                    J                                                                                    ##STR22##                  170   >320                                    __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 15                                     __________________________________________________________________________                               Crepe appearance                                                     Brabender torque                                                                         Smooth = 10                                                          readings (Nm)                                                                            Very rough = 0                                                                          White = 10                                  Blending ratio       After                                                                               Surface   Dark brown/black = 0                       PVC                                                                            Polyester       Initially                                                                           5 minutes                                                                           finish   Colour                                      __________________________________________________________________________     PVC, 100                                                                       --              5500 2500 4.5      4.5                                         PVC, 99                                                                                        B, 1 7000 2480     7.5 6                                       PVC, 90                                                                                        B, 10                                                                               7000 2250     4 8                                         PVC, 99                                                                                        F, 1 6020 2390     7.5 8                                       PVC, 90                                                                                        F, 10                                                                               2950 1950     2 7                                         PVC, 99                                                                                        J, 1 6470 2460     5.5 8                                       PVC, 90                                                                                        J, 10                                                                               --   --       -- --                                       PVC, 99                                                                                        M, 1 --   --       -- --                                       PVC, 90                                                                                        M, 10                                                                               5100 2400     4 6                                         PVC, 99                                                                                        Stearic acid, 1                                                                     3650 2550     4 9                                         PVC, 90                                                                                        Stearic acid, 10                                                                    2250 1350     4 10                                        PVC, 99                                                                                        `Diakon` APA-1, 1                                                                   6600 2370     2 4                                         PVC, 90                                                                                        `Diakon` APA-1, 10                                                                  4700 2050     5 2                                         PVC, 99                                                                                        Di-n-butyl                                                                          6020 2450     7.5 6                                                            phthalate                                                 __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 9

In this example a sample of high molecular weight HD polyethylene was blended with a liquid crystal polyester on a two-roll mill. This shows that the blend has a higher melt flow index than the control.

To a small electric mill, with the front roll set at 295° C. and rear roll at 225° C., was charged high molecular weight HD polyethylene (`Hostalen` grade GF 7750M, 60 g). As soon as the polyethylene was melted 17 g of the liquid crystal prepared and described in Example 1 was charged and milled until homogeneous to the eye (ca 4 minutes). The cold crepe was disintegrated and its melt flow index determined in comparison with a milled control without addition of the liquid crystal. Results are shown in Table 16 below.

                  TABLE 16                                                         ______________________________________                                                         Melt flow indices                                                              (g/10 minutes) at                                                              stated temperatures                                            Blending ratio    190° C.                                                                          250° C.                                      ______________________________________                                         Control            0.183   0.715                                               HDPE, 100                                                                      HDPE, 78 - Liquid, 22                                                                             4.06    1.70                                                crystal                                                                        ______________________________________                                    

Compression mouldings ca 0.5 mm thick were also prepared and compared for surface friction resistance on an inclined plane tester. Results, compared with other common plastics are given below, and indicate a useful improvement in relative surface slipperyness.

                  TABLE 17                                                         ______________________________________                                         HDPE               21                                                          control                                                                        HDPE, 90           161/2                                                       Liquid crystal blend, 10                                                       Polystyrene        22                                                          PTFE               13                                                          Nylon 66           111/2                                                       Rigid PVC          161/2                                                       LD Polyethylene    411/2                                                       Polypropylene      17                                                          M Film                                                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 10

In this example the addition of a liquid crystal polyester to commercial glass-filled PET moulding powders is described. The blends show lower melt viscosities. Processing temperature may therefore be reduced with the advantage that the risk of degradation is reduced.

Blends containing 10% of liquid crystal (IV=0.56 dl/g) described in Example 1, and 90% `Rynite`* 530 and 545 grade glass-filled polyester (PET) moulding powders were prepared in the normal way on a "Bone" 19 mm extruder fitted with a 20 L/D screw, and lace die. After careful drying to avoid hydrolysis the disintegrated laces were characterised by melt flow index measurements on a Davenport flow tester fitted with a 2.096 mm diameter die, diameter piston falling under a 2.16 kg weight. The results given in Table 18 below show that at 285° C., the normal processing temperature for glass-filled PET, addition of liquid crystal resulted in a useful gain in melt index. Furthermore, when the temperature was reduced to 260° C., well below the recommended moulding temperature for PET, the liquid crystal blends with `Rynite` 530 still showed melt indices comparable to the unmodified material.

                  TABLE 18                                                         ______________________________________                                                                MFI values                                                                     (g/10 mins)                                                                    at specified                                            Blend ratio            temperatures                                            Liquid crystal                                                                          `Rynite` 530                                                                               `Rynite` 545                                                                             260° C.                                                                         285° C.                          ______________________________________                                         --       100         --        3.2     38                                      10       90          --        31      91                                      --       --          100       2.8     21                                      10       --          90        8.1     66                                      ______________________________________                                          *`Rynite` grade 530 made by Du Pont is believed to consist essentially of      70% polyethylene terephthalate modified with special crystallisation           promoters and 30% glass fibre. `Rynite`  grade 545 is believed to be           similar but containing 45% glass fibre.                                  

EXAMPLE 11

In this example a series of closely related liquid crystal polyester chemical compositions are prepared in which by varying the proportion of para-linked units the whole range of behaviour from normal isotropic through to anisotropic liquid crystal melt behaviour is obtained. Solution and melt blends of each of these is then made with either, polyethersulphone, polycarbonate or polyphenylene oxide/polystyrene blend. Although most show some melt viscosity reduction compared with unmodified material these are very much more marked in the case of the blends with liquid crystal polymers than with the chemically related but isotropic compositions. Further, the extent of the viscosity reduction is qualitatively different and is often most marked in the case of the high shear rates, i.e. correspondingly most closely with the shear rates normally encountered in extrusion and injection moulding applications.

A series of copolyesters based on 4,4'-oxydibenzoic, isophthalic, and terephthalic acids and chlorohydroquinone was prepared using the procedure outlined in Example 3. By varying the proportion of isophthalic to terephthalic acid it was possible to make a complete series of closely related compositions with on the one hand normal isotropic behaviour (IA:TA ≧80-90:20-10) and on the other hand anisotropic, liquid crystal behaviour (IA:TA ≦80-60:20-40). Other compositions representative of both these classes were made by partially or wholly replacing the chlorohydroquinone moiety by catechol. For further comparison a series of 10% blends with a higher molecular weight samples of the liquid crystal polyester of Example 1 was also included. Each sample was characterised as before by inherent viscosity tests (0.5% solution trifluoroacetic acid:chloromethane 30:70 v/v at 25° C.), capillary rheometry and by its melting point and melt optical appearance on the polarising hot stage microscope. Results are given below in Table 19. Compositions are based on the following molar formula: ##STR23##

                                      TABLE 19                                     __________________________________________________________________________                                Melt viscosity                                      Liquid                     (Ns/m.sup.2) at 285° C.                      crystal                    at specified                                        polymer                                                                             Polymer subunits      shear rates  Temperature (°C.) where         sample                                                                              (% molar reactants)                                                                              IV  10   100 1000                                                                               melts formed are:                      code a  b  c  d  e  f  (dl/g)                                                                             sec.sup.-1                                                                          sec.sup.-1                                                                         sec.sup.-1                                                                         Anisotropic                                                                          Isotropic                        __________________________________________________________________________     A    0.5                                                                               -- 0.25                                                                              0  0.25                                                                              -- 0.71                                                                               58000                                                                               21000                                                                              4500                                                                               None  270                              B    0.5                                                                               -- 0.25                                                                              0.025                                                                             0.225                                                                             -- 0.48                                                                               4500 1900                                                                               450 None  215                              C    0.5                                                                               -- 0.25                                                                              0.05                                                                              0.2                                                                               -- 0.3 360  175 75  200   240                              D    0.5                                                                               -- 0.25                                                                              0.08                                                                              0.17                                                                              -- 0.35                                                                               55   28  14  190   290                              E    0.5                                                                               -- 0.25                                                                              0.125                                                                             0.125                                                                             -- 0.6 1200 350 118 210-225                                                                              360-385                          F    0.5                                                                               -- 0.25                                                                              0.25                                                                              0  -- 0.85                                                                               29   23  20  230-250                                                                              >440                             G    0.5                                                                               -- 0.25                                                                              0.25                                                                              0  -- 0.97                                                                               110  85  60  not measured (2)                       H    0.5                                                                               -- 0.25                                                                              0.25                                                                              0  -- 1.79                                                                               2000 850 200 240- 260                                                                             >440                             I    0.5                                                                               -- 0.25                                                                              0.125                                                                             0.125                                                                             -- 1.0 2000 750 150 not measured (2)                       J     --                                                                               0.5                                                                               0.25                                                                              0.25                                                                              0  -- 0.25                                                                               --   --  3   150   155                              K    0.5                                                                               -- 0.25                                                                              0.125                                                                             0.125                                                                             -- --  3100 1050                                                                               260 not measured (2)                       L    0.25                                                                              0.25                                                                              0.25                                                                              0.25                                                                               --                                                                               -- 0.52                                                                               --   --  40  200   395                              M    0.125                                                                             0.375                                                                             0.25                                                                              0.25                                                                               --                                                                               --                  160   180                              P    0.5                                                                               -- 0.2                                                                                --                                                                               0.3                                                                               -- --  3500 1200                                                                               270 not measured (2)                       Q    0.5                                                                               -- 0.25                                                                              0.125                                                                             0.125                                                                             -- 1.8 6500 1900                                                                               420 not measured (2)                       R    0.5                                                                               -- 0.25                                                                              0.25                                                                               --                                                                               -- 2.8 ˜11000                                                                        ˜3000                                                                        ˜600                                                                         not measured (2)                       S    0.5                                                                               -- -- 0.25                                                                               --                                                                               0.25                                                                              ≧1.1                                                                        see note (1) not measured (2)                       __________________________________________________________________________      Notes                                                                          (1) Viscosity determined at 270° C. and 10.sup.4 N/m.sup.2 shear        stress was 1600 Ns/m.sup.2.                                                    (2) Actual minimum temperatures where these showed anisotropic or              isotropic melts were not determined exactly but were believed to be            similar to those compositions of similar composition shown elsewhere in        the table. In all cases they exhibited anisotropic melts in the                temperature range of interest, i.e. 285-320° C. for the blends.   

A series of solution blends with either polyethersulphone (ICI `Victrex` grade P300), polycarbonate (`Makrolon` 3200 grade ex Bayer), or `Noryl` (polyphenylene oxide-polystyrene blend) were next prepared as follows. Liquid crystal polymer (1 g) was dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid:dichloromethane (30:70 v/v) mixture (10 ml) and 9 g based polymer in the appropriate solvent (100 ml) mixed rapidly in appropriate solvents were:

polyethersulphone-trifluoroacetic acid-dichloromethane (30:70)

polycarbonate-trifluoroacetic acid-dichloromethane (30:70)

polyphenylene oxide-polystyrene blend-chloroform.

When homogeneous the polymer blends were precipitated by pouring into methanol or acetone and isolated by filtration and drying. The dry solids were finally soxhlet extracted with boiling ether followed by boiling methanol until free of residual acid solvent. After drying and grinding the melt viscosities were determined at the temperatures and shear rates shown in Table 20.

In a parallel series of experiments 10% melt blends using a laboratory sized Vickers `Transfer mix` were prepared and characterised as above. Results on the melt blends are recorded in Table 21 below.

In many cases the base polymers were extracted from the blends with appropriate solvents and characterised by solution viscosity. The results showed that the fall in melt viscosity on blending could not be accounted for by degradation of the base polymer.

                                      TABLE 20                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Melt viscosity of blends prepared in solution                                  Blend composition                                                                           Melt viscosity (Ns/m.sup.2)                                                                     Solution                                         (%)          determined at stated                                                                            viscosity of                                     Base   LCP   shear rate and temp.                                                                            based polymer                                    polymer                                                                               polymer                                                                              Temp.                                                                              10   100 1000                                                                               extracted from                                   Note (1)                                                                              Note (2)                                                                             (°C.)                                                                       sec.sup.-1                                                                          sec.sup.-1                                                                         sec.sup.-1                                                                         extruded blend                                   __________________________________________________________________________     100 PES                                                                               --    320 --   5800                                                                               2150                                                                               0.47                                             90 PES 10 A  320 --   4150                                                                               1150                                                                               0.47                                             90 PES 10 B  320 --   3300                                                                               1000                                                                               0.43                                             90 PES 10 C  320 --   1280                                                                               330 0.43 ηsp                                     90 PES 10 D  320 --   1150                                                                               42  0.44                                             90 PES 10 E  320 --   850 300 0.44                                             90 PES 10 F  320 --   650 270 0.45                                             100 PC --    285 --   980 780 1.29                                             90 PC  10 A  285 --   780 820 1.30                                             90 PC  10 B  285 --   780 630 1.29                                             90 PC  10 C  285 --   580 500 126  ηrel                                    90 PC  10 D  285 --   610 500 1.30                                             90 PC  10 E  285 --   670 500 1.28                                             100 PES                                                                               --    320 9500 5300                                                                               1900                                                 90 PES 10 G  320 3200 1300                                                                               450                                                  90 PES 10 H  320 2800 1100                                                                               380                                                  90 PES 10 J  320  800 800 600                                                  100 PC --    280 2000 1900                                                                               1000                                                 90 PC  10 G  280 1700 1000                                                                               420                                                  90 PC  10 H  280 1100 800 400                                                  90 PC  10 J  280 1000 930 700                                                  100 PPO/PS                                                                            --    320 1800 1000                                                                               380                                                  90 PPO/PS                                                                             10 G  320 2800 810 230                                                  90 PPO/PS                                                                             10 H  320 3200 850 260                                                  90 PPO/PS                                                                             10 J  320 2000 1140                                                                               400                                                  90 PPO/PS                                                                             10 I  320 2400 850 260                                                  90 PPO/PS                                                                             10 K  320 2400 1220                                                                               350                                                  90 PPO/PS                                                                             10 A  320 3400 1400                                                                               450                                                  __________________________________________________________________________      Note (1)                                                                       PES = ICI `Victrex` grade P300 polyethersulphone.                              PC = `Makrolon` grade 3000 polycarbonate.                                      PPO/PS = 50:50 blend purchased ex BDH Ltd.                                     Note (2)                                                                       For codes see Table 19.                                                  

                  TABLE 21                                                         ______________________________________                                         Melt viscosity of blends prepared by melt blending                             Blend composition                                                                             Melt viscosity (Ns/m.sup.2)                                     (%)            determined at stated                                            Base     LCP       shear rate and temp.                                        polymer  polymer   Temp.   10     100   1000                                   Note (1) Note (2)  (°C.)                                                                           sec.sup.-1                                                                            sec.sup.-1                                                                           sec.sup.-1                             ______________________________________                                         100 PES  --        320     5000   4700  1700                                   90 PES   10 A      320     8000   4300  1300                                   90 PES   10 E      320     5000   1600  440                                    90 PES   10 I      320     7000   2500  700                                    90 PES   10 F      320     5300   2000  600                                    90 PES   10 H      320     6000   2500  700                                    90 PES   10 G      320     6500   2900  850                                    90 PES   10 L      320     6000   2600  900                                    90 PES   10 J      320     3400   2000  800                                    90 PES   10 Q      320     8500   3800  1100                                   90 PES   10 K      320     6500   3300  1100                                   90 PES   10 R      320     7000   2800  700                                    90 PES   10 S      320     6000   2200  650                                    100 PPO/PS                                                                              --        320      700    530  240                                    90 PPO/PS                                                                               10 J      320     1200    420  160                                    90 PPO/PS                                                                               10 M      320      900    420  130                                    90 PPO/PS                                                                               10 P      320      600    260  110                                    90 PPO/PS                                                                               10 Q      320     1500    410  150                                    90 PPO/PS                                                                               10 K      320     1500    450  150                                    90 PPO/PS                                                                               10 R      320      900    330  110                                    90 PPO/PS                                                                               10 S      320      900    330  110                                    100 PC   --        280     2000   1850  1000                                   90 PC    10 J      280     2000   1380  1000                                   90 PC    10 P      280     1900   1900  700                                    90 PC    10 Q      280     2200   1820  900                                    90 PC    10 K      280     2000   1100  700                                    90 PC    10 R      280     2000   1600  900                                    ______________________________________                                          Note (1)  See Note (1) to Table 20.                                            Note (2)  For codes see Table 19.                                        

EXAMPLE 12

In this example substantially transparent blends of PES with a liquid crystal polyester at 3 and 15% are described. They are shown to have usefully reduced melt viscosities and are capable of injection moulding into clear tough mouldings at lower temperatures than are normally required for unmodified PES. Parallel experiments with a chemically similar non-anisotropic melt (i.e. isotropic) forming polymer are also described. In comparison blends with the anisotropic material shows unexpected advantages of superior strength and temperature resistance.

A liquid crystal polyester based on equimolar amounts of terephthalic and isophthalic acids, hydroquinone and resorcinol (designated TIHR polymer) was prepared as follows:

In a three-necked flask fitted with take-off condenser and stirrer were placed a mixture of terephthalic acid (8.3 g equivalent to 0.05 mol), isophthalic acid (8.3 g equivalent to 0.05 mol), resorcinol diacetate (10.19 g equivalent to 0.0525 mol) and hydroquinone diacetate (10.19 g equivalent to 0.0525 mol). The contents were flushed with nitrogen for 30 minutes and then lowered into a molten metal bath at 250° C. Acetic acid (5 g equivalent to 80% theory) was evolved over a period of 1 hour. The contents were heated to about 90° C. and vacuum applied cautiously to avoid splashing. Stirring was continued over 11/2 hours and vacuum applied and slowly increased from 50 to 1 mm Hg to remove residual acetic acid. The flask was removed from the metal bath and melt allowed to cool down under nitrogen. The cold solid was obtained by breaking the flask. The inherent viscosity measured at 30° C. in a 0.5% solution of 40:60 w/w sym-tetrachlororethane:phenol was 0.6 dl/g. On the hot stage microscope it melted at 225°-230° C. to give a characteristic anisotropic melt.

A resorcinol-isophthalate copolyester (designated RI polymer) prepared by an analogous procedure had a somewhat lower inherent viscosity of 0.3 to 0.4 dl/g. It melted at 185° to 190° C. to a non-anisotropic, i.e. isotropic normal melt.

To give a better comparison a higher molecular product (IV=0.8 dl/g) was also prepared by the interfacial polycondensation given in methods of British patents Nos. 907,047 and 902,021 (Example 1 in each case). It gave a similar isotropic melt at 200° C.

Melt blends of both these compositions were prepared at the 3, 10 and 15% levels with polyethersulphone by the method of Example 3 using a Bone 19 mm screw extruder. Several of these were injection moulded at between 280° and 360° C. to give substantially clear/translucent mouldings. The results obtained are shown in Table 22.

                                      TABLE 22                                     __________________________________________________________________________                        Impact strength                                                                            Flexural Melt viscosity                                       Vicat      Falling                                                                              modulus  (Ns/m.sup.2) at                                 Melt softening                                                                           Notched                                                                              weight (J)                                                                           115 mm × 3 mm                                                                     shear rates                            Blending temp./                                                                              point                                                                               tensile                                                                              115 mm ×                                                                       disc     shown                                  ratio    pressure                                                                            (°C.)                                                                        (kJ/m.sup.2)                                                                         3 mm  (GN/m.sup.2)                                                                            10   100  1000                         PES                                                                            LCP      °C./psi                                                                      at 1 kg                                                                             A  C  disc  A  B  C  sec.sup.-1                                                                          sec.sup.-1                                                                          sec.sup.-1                   __________________________________________________________________________     100 --   360/800                                                                               226                                                                               49.7                                                                              49.5                                                                              83.5  3.02                                                                              2.94                                                                              3.11                                      100 --   360/1000                                                                              224                                                                               44.7                                                                              50.7                                                                              --    -- -- --   8000 4500 1500                       100 --   330/1000                                                                              224                                                                               37.2                                                                              56.0                                                                              --    -- -- --                                        97                                                                                3 TIHR                                                                          360/800     24.1                                                                              21.7                                                                              64.5                                                                              3.44  3.34                                                                              3.34  3500 2100 700                          97                                                                                3 TIHR                                                                          335/900   214                                                                              32.0                                                                              33.3                                                                              54.4                                                                              3.04  3.12                                                                              2.97  3500 2100 700                          97                                                                                3 TIHR                                                                          315/1000    24.6                                                                              33.1                                                                              -- --    -- --    3500 2100 700                          85                                                                             15 TIHR  NOT INJECTION MOULDED            2600 1600 620                        97                                                                             3 RI     325/1000                                                                              208                                                                               14.2                                                                              18.3                6500                                                                                3400                                                                                1300                       97                                                                                      3 RI 300/1000                                                                            208                                                                               19.1                                                                              19.2                                                  90                                                                                      10 RI                                                                               330/1000                                                                               8.0                                                                               78                                                    90                                                                                      10 RI                                                                               300/1000                                                                            196                                                                               5.1                                                                               4.9                 --   -- --                        90                                                                                      10 RI                                                                               290/1000                                                                               3.9                                                                               4.0                                                   90                                                                                      10 RI                                                                               280/1000                                                                               7.7                                                                               7.6                                                   85                                                                             15 RI    NOT INJECTION MOULDED            1600 1600 1000                       __________________________________________________________________________      A = across,                                                                    B = 45° to, and                                                         C = along flow direction.                                                      Liquid crystal polymers: TIHR and RI have inherent viscosities of 0.5 and      0.62 respectively.                                                       

EXAMPLE 13

ε-caprolactone (0.1 mole, 11.4 g) and paraacetoxybenzoic acid (0.1 mole, 18.0 g) were charged to a 100 ml 3-necked round-bottomed flask fitted with a nitrogen inlet, mechanical stirrer, and outlet to a solid CO₂ trap and vacuum pump. The apparatus was purged with nitrogen for 1 hour. The flask was immersed in a metal bath at 200° C., and the temperature raised to 235° C. over 20 minutes. At this temperature distillation of acetic acid from a clear melt was observed. The temperature of 235° C. was maintained for 1 hour, and then increased to 255° C. for 1/4 hour. Vacuum was then applied, for a total period of 4 hours, at a temperature of about 255° C.

The flask was cooled under vacuum, atmospheric pressure re-established using nitrogen and the flask broken to recover the product.

The product was found to exhibit liquid crystal behaviour between about 63° C. and 275° C., and 0.1 parts of the product (designated LCP) was added to chloroform (9 parts). The mixture was shaken and gave a fine dispersion of polymer in the chloroform. A solution of biologically produced poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) (1 part) in chloroform (9 parts) was prepared and mixed with the dispersion of liquid crystal forming polymer. The polymer mixture was isolated by evaporating the chloroform in a room of dry air at 40° C. and subsequently drying at 40° C. under vacuum overnight.

A sample of the mixture of polymers were assessed in a Melt Flow Grader according to method and apparatus of British Standard 2782:7:720A (1979).

The sample was charged to the barrel of a Melt Flow Grader and extruded through a standard die (2.1 mm diameter×8 mm long) using a 10 kg load on the piston to provide the pressure. The Mass Flow was recorded each minute after the load was applied and the Mass Flow Rate (g/min) is recorded in Table 23. In Table 23 the mass extruded during the period 3 to 4 minutes being recorded as the Mass Flow Rate after 4 minutes. During the early part of this experiment the temperature of the sample is increasing towards the set temperature and an estimate of the sample mean temperature (assuming a thermal diffusivity of 10⁻⁷ m² /s) is included in Table 23.

Tests were carried out at 180° C. and 190° C. The superiority of the flow of the modified polymers is most clearly demonstrated at 180° C. It can be inferred from a graphical representation that the modified samples melt about 7° C. lower in temperature than the control and then have significantly greater fluidity.

                                      TABLE 23                                     __________________________________________________________________________                        Polymer Type                                                                         PHB +                                                             Polymer                                                                               PHB   10% LCP                                               Set         Temperature                                                                           Melt Flow                                                                            Melt Flow                                             Temperature                                                                            Time                                                                               (Estimated                                                                            Rate  Rate                                                  (°C.)                                                                           (min)                                                                              °C.)                                                                           (g/min)                                                                              (g/min)                                               __________________________________________________________________________     190     1   167    --    0.03                                                          2   183    0.05  0.12                                                          3   188    0.09  0.18                                                          4   190    0.15  0.24                                                          5   190    0.28  0.60                                                          6   190    0.75  1.0                                                   180     1   157    --    --                                                            2   173    --    --                                                            3   178    --    0.03                                                          4   180    --    0.05                                                          5   180    0.018 0.08                                                          6   180    0.028 0.12                                                          7   180    0.040 0.23                                                          8   180    0.060 0.45                                                          9   180    0.12  0.80                                                  10      180 0.25   --                                                          __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 14

Samples of PHB containing 10% by weight of `Klucel` were prepared from chloroform solutions and then isolated as described in Example 13. The dried samples were evaluated in the melt flow grader at 180° C. and 190° C. in comparison with PHB alone. The results obtained were very similar to those obtained in Example 13, again indicating that the processing temperature of the PHB could be reduced.

EXAMPLE 15

A polyesteramide was prepared from p-acetoxyacetanilide (1.1 mole), azelaic acid (1.1 mole) and p-acetoxybenzoic acid (1.65 mole) as described in Example 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,859,251. The polymer produced was found to exhibit liquid crystal behaviour when heated to a temperature above 240° C. The polymer was melt blended with various polymers as indicated below using a Vickers `Transfer mix` screw blender. The viscosity of the blend at low and high shear rate is also recorded in Table 24:

                  TABLE 24                                                         ______________________________________                                                        Melt Viscosity (Ns/m.sup.2) at stated                                          shear rate and temperature                                      Blend Composition (%)                                                                           Temp.                                                         LCP   Base polymer   (°C.)                                                                            70 sec.sup.-1                                                                         960 sec.sup.-1                            ______________________________________                                         10     90 nylon 66   285       792    65                                        0    100 nylon 66   285       693   218                                       10     90 `Diakon`* CA603                                                                           240      2070   287                                        0    100 `Diakon`* CA603                                                                           240      1610   531                                       10     90 PES (300P) 350       990   341                                        0    100 PES (300P) 350      1680   646                                       10     90 `Noryl` (PPO/PS)                                                                          285       990   196                                        0    100 `Noryl` (PPO/PS)                                                                          285      1980   392                                       ______________________________________                                          *`Diakon` CA603 is a polymethyl methacrylate powder.                     

EXAMPLE 16

A 250 ml 3-necked flask fitted with N₂ inlet, dropping funnel, stirrer and condenser and drying tube, was charged with 45 g (0.2 mole 97%) 2,5-di-aminotoluene sulphate and 100 ml dimethylacetamide (DMAc) containing 5% dissolved LiCl. The mix was warmed and 40 ml pyridine added to help solution. The mix was then cooled and with fairly vigorous stirring 26.8 g (0.2 mole). Terephthaldialdehyde in 50 ml DMAc was quickly added via the dropping funnel. The mix turned orange-yellow and became very viscous and paste-like so that more DMAc had to be added to enable stirring to be efficient. The ingredients were stirred for 7 hours and then allowed to stand overnight before pouring into water (with stirring) in a blender. The orange-yellow solid was filtered off washed several times in water and acetone and vacuum oven dried.

The polymer exhibited a liquid crystal melt at 270° C. up to about 360° C. when it set up.

The polymer obtained was melt blended with polyethylene terephthalate powder of intrinsic viscosity 0.75 (10 parts polyazomethine to 90 parts PET). When measured at 285° C. at a shear rate of 70 sec⁻¹ the viscosity was 162 Ns/m² which was identical with a control sample of PET. At a shear rate of 960 sec⁻¹ the viscosity of the blend was 28 Ns/m² compared with 69 Ns/m² for the PET control. 

We claim:
 1. A melt-processable polymer composition comprising at least one polymer capable of forming an anisotropic melt and at least one other melt-processable polymer characterised in that the temperature range over which the polymer can form an anisotropic melt and the temperature range over which the melt-processable polymer may be melt processed overlap, with the proviso that the other melt-processable polymer may not become melt processable until blended with the anisotropic-melt-forming polymer, the quantity of the polymer capable of forming an anisotropic melt being sufficient to reduce the melt viscosity of the composition in comparison with the melt viscosity in the absence of the anisotropic-melt-forming polymer, by at least 10%, when measured at a shear rate of 1000 sec⁻¹ at a given processing temperature in the processing temperature range of the melt-processable polymer.
 2. A melt-processable polymer composition according to claim 1 characterised in that the temperature range over which the polymer which is capable of forming an anisotropic melt is present as an anisotropic melt and the temperature range over which the melt-processable polymer may be melt processed overlap by at least 5° C.
 3. A melt-processable polymer composition according to claim 1 characterised in that it has been produced by forming a melt from a polymer exhibiting anisotropic melt form and a melt-processable polymer which is molten at the temperature at which the anisotropic melt is formed.
 4. A melt-processable polymer composition according to claim 1 characterised in that the composition is formed from a solution of the melt-processable polymer and the polymer capable of exhibiting an anisotropic melt.
 5. A molten polymer composition characterised in that there coexist in the melt at least two polymers in melt form at least one of which is present as an anisotropic melt.
 6. A method of improving the processability of a melt-processable polymer comprising forming a blend of the melt processable polymer with a second polymer characterised in that the melt of the second polymer is an anisotropic melt.
 7. A method of improving the processability of a melt-processable polymer according to claim 6 characterised in that the melt contains sufficient of the anisotropic melt to reduce the melt viscosity of the composition by at least 10%, (when measured at a shear rate of 1000 sec⁻¹ at a temperature at which the composition is molten) in comparison with the composition not containing the anisotropic-melt-forming material.
 8. A melt-processable polymer composition according to claim 1 containing from 2 to 80% by weight of the composition of reinforcing or non-reinforcing fillers.
 9. A shaped article obtained from a molten polymer composition according to claim
 5. 